132 
being of a bright carmine red, that many persons 
can hardly be persuaded that the red-breasted 
Linnet is merely the common brown Linnet. In 
summer it is generally distributed in various coun- 
tries, in which it is permanently resident. In 
winter the Linnets assemble in very large flocks, 
and descend to the sea-coasts, whence, as the 
severe weather approaches, they resort to the 
neighbourhood of towns and farm-yards, mingling 
with other species. ‘They remain in these sheltered 
places till the spring urges them to pair, when they 
again seek their upland haunts, resorting during 
the summer to waste lands and commons in the 
upper parts of the country, where they breed. 
The nest, which is generally built in furze, if con- 
venient, or in some low bush, is formed of moss 
and stalks of grass interwoven with wool, and lined 
with hair and feathers. The eggs, of a bluish 
white, speckled with a purpled red colour, are 
four or five in number. The voice of the Linnet 
is strong and mellow, and its song varied and 
remarkably sweet. 
